Getting Parents to Conferences

Parents are not required to attend conferences in our school, so I developed an incentive: I offer the students a free assignment coupon if their parent comes to see me. I give the parents the coupon to take home and give to their child. I’ve found that kids will go home and beg their mom or dad to come in, even if it is just to talk to me. The coupon can be used for an assignment that students have not completed, don’t want to complete, or to replace their lowest grade of the quarter with full points. I have many graded assignments so the coupons don’t affect their grades much, but they sure do work hard to get their parents to see me!

COMMENTS:

I have since changed this to offering a free cookie to those who provide the coupon. This would not affect standards-based grading.

Rachel | 2013/10/26

Whether they need a bribe or want to come on their own isn't what's important about this. It is a great idea because it gets the student motivated to remind their parent. Once that happens, things get done.

Sharon | 2013/10/21

I love that idea! It will totally work--as a parent I would totally love to get that for my child, especially since I know it won't really affect their grades much.

Phillip | 2013/10/17

This will not work with standard based grading.

Debi | 2013/10/17

Yes I agree they should want to, but reality is they don't always, so I love this idea, Thanks!!!

Nan Lou | 2013/10/17

Parents should want to come to conferences to show they value education and their child. They don't need a bribe.

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